Police investigate two Portsmouth truck stop burglaries

PORTSMOUTH— Police are investigating burglaries at each of the Hanscom's truck stops along the Route 1 Bypass.

According to Sgt. David Keaveny, the burglaries occurred late Monday evening and were discovered around 4:45 a.m. Tuesday when employees arrived to open the store.

Keaveny said at about 10:07 p.m. Monday, someone made entry into the Northbound side of Buzzy's and attempted to take cash from the automated teller machine, but found none as the machine is emptied by employees at night. The burglar did, however, take off with about $40 in rolled quarters. A little more than an hour later at 11:24 p.m., forced entry was made into the Southbound Buzzy's location and manipulated the ATM in that store. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken, Keaveny said.

"It looks like they spent a significant amount of time trying to get into the ATM," he said.

The truck stop portion of Buzzy's on the southbound side remains open all night, but the stores on either side were closed and unoccupied at the time of the burglary.

Police reviewed surveillance footage and physical evidence at the scene to conduct the investigation. They have also determined a description of the suspect as a young white male with a skinny build, likely under 30 years old, who was wearing a black hooded sweat shirt, shorts and white gloves and a backpack. The man was carrying a small crowbar and appeared to be wearing sneakers.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crimes or have information about the burglaries is asked to call Portsmouth Police Detective Aaron Goodwin at 610-7627 or may provide anonymous tips through Seacoast Crime Stoppers at 431-1199 and also by logging onto www.seacoastcrimestoppers.org. Text messages TIPSCS in the message may also be sent to CRIMES (274637). Rewards of up to $1,000 are paid for information leading to arrests and convictions.